Aromatic logs, the orange glow of flames, and the heat emanating from a fireplace can make even the coldest winter days more tolerable. Preparing your fireplace for winter is imperative to ensure that it performs efficiently and safely throughout the cold season and beyond. Here are some tips for preparing a fireplace and chimney for winter so it can provide the comfort you desire during the cold months.

One high-stress area of a residential roof is where its two faces meet, either at a hip or a ridge. Protecting these areas helps reduce the risk of leaks. Before the advent of shingles purpose-made for hip and ridge caps, roofers typically cut up 3-tab strip shingles and bent them over these areas of the roof. Today, specially made versions of these types of shingles provide better protection while maintaining a roof's aesthetic appeal.

While unwanted animals in the attic can be a problem year round, it's when the weather starts to get colder and we all want to spend more time indoors that neighborhood critters begin to consider moving in with you in earnest. To prevent animals seeking refuge in your cozy attic (and thereby possibly in other parts of your home), you need to ensure pests can't access it through roof. The best time to do that is during spring and summer when it's still warm outside and the local wildlife hasn't—necessarily—started hunting out new habitats.

Are you hearing strange noises coming from your attic, especially on windy days? You might think critters are running around up there, but, often, that banging or rattling can be chalked up to attic fan noise. In addition to wearing on your nerves, such noise could signify a larger problem and shouldn't be ignored.

The last few years have been a rollercoaster for workers in the U.S. The country saw its greatest job loss since the Great Depression and almost a year later faced the challenge of not having enough workers to fill job openings. It's an experience experts say has changed the American workforce and workers.

As a contractor, you're constantly on the lookout for ways to get the job done quickly while continuing to provide a high level of quality to customers. Carefully selecting the materials you use can help—and with new roofing technologies being developed every day, you have a lot of options.